Inexpensive appearance mods??

[07speed3]

What are some good looking and inexpensive exterior mods?? Im not really sure what direction i wanna go with my car yet as far as a theme or anything so shoot any ideas you have at me! thanks!

[AutoEuphoria]

Change interior lights to LEDs...that'll cost around $20-$30. Change license plate lights to LED...that's like $10. Vinyl foglight covers are pretty cheap, too...around $30 I think (can't remember what I paid).

[PCspeed3]

xenon fogs, Home depot front lip, color match shark fin (expensive), eyelids, spoiler extension, side molding removal, RIMZ

[CWPspeed3]

Interior LEDs are sharp and cheap, removing the side moldings is free, tints are relatively cheap as are eyelids if your into that. LED plate lights are technically illegal so its something cops could hassle you for if they wanted.

[08cosmic3]

Fake hood vents, Crome panels, lights on the wipers, neon tag holder, stickers lots of stickers, do it yourself tinting, valve stem lights, curb finders, etc.(laugh)

[08cosmic3]

Interior LEDs are sharp and cheap, removing the side moldings is free, tints are relatively cheap as are eyelids if your into that. LED plate lights are technically illegal so its something cops could hassle you for if they wanted.

I thought the LED tag lights were illegal only if they were colored. Cool white LED is what I have in mine.

[07speed3]

thanks for all the great ideas keep em coming!
where can i get the LED's from?

[CWPspeed3]

thanks for all the great ideas keep em coming!
where can i get the LED's from?

superbrightleds.com is good

the plate lights even in white have a hint of blue, most cops probably wont bother but its just something they could use to pull you over to fish for more. it does look sweet though.

[AutoEuphoria]

Check out the "How-To" section for a rundown on how to do all the LED conversions.

[07speed3]

awsome thanks for the help guys! how do i get my mazda emblems off the car along with the badges? I would like to paint them also how do i get the side marker lights and rear bumper reflecters out? thanks!

[dkswim]

$5 mudflaps...

[Gmac03]

The license plate lights are fine, as long as they are white.

I'm in the same boat you're in. Exterior mods for cheap. This is probably what i'm going to do in full, nothing ground breaking. Powder coated stock rims, painted calipers, spoiler extension, front lip, angel eyes, eye lids.

And that will all add up but it's nothing cosmic like an Auto exe kit.

Then save that extra money for a real nice coilover setup, to drop it like it's hot. ;)

Gmac

[SwampAss]

Snatch kisses and vice versa bumper sticker. I have one. Really.

[AllLostThings]

superbrightleds has done me well.

[aaronc7]

stickers lol

[coololddude]

Dont eat as much and then get aftermarket wheels.

[coyfish]

ebay front grille

[nykole0408]

awsome thanks for the help guys! how do i get my mazda emblems off the car along with the badges? I would like to paint them also how do i get the side marker lights and rear bumper reflecters out? thanks!

I blacked out my emblems this past weekend.
http://img19.picoodle.com/img/img19/3/1/21/f_0118091422m_9513e97.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/1/21/f_0118091422m_9513e97.jpg&srv=img19)
http://img19.picoodle.com/img/img19/3/1/21/f_0118091428m_db5e03c.jpg (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/1/21/f_0118091428m_db5e03c.jpg&srv=img19)

Use some good 3m painters tape to cover the paint around the edges of the emblems. I have body tools so I used my plastic emblem remover but just use something that's not sharp so you don't gouge the paint. Start at a corner and SLOWLY pry the emblems off (I used a razor knife to carefully trim at the double sided tape under there as I was pulling on it to lessen resistance). Then when you get them off just roll your finger over the leftover double sided tape to remove it from the car.
The front emblem has 5 clips behind it- be careful so you don't break them.

[Gmac03]

If you have never removed emblems before, don't use a razor or any tool other than dental floss. There is no way you can mess that up.

Gmac

[AAMguy]

diy home depot front lip $12
fog covers $17
paint the rims ;) $10
remove side molding $FREEEBIIIIEEEEEEEEE
paint the emblems $5

[nykole0408]

If you have never removed emblems before, don't use a razor or any tool other than dental floss. There is no way you can mess that up.

Gmac

True... Actually I have never even thought of the dental floss thing. It's a good idea though! (yes)

[nykole0408]

diy home depot front lip $12
fog covers $17
paint the rims ;) $10
remove side molding $FREEEBIIIIEEEEEEEEE
paint the emblems $5

More info on the DIY front lip please???

[AAMguy]

More info on the DIY front lip please???

go to the pics and video forum and look at my pics of the smurf and u can see the lip.

its garage door sealant

[Sport6]

More info on the DIY front lip please???

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123722778&highlight=home+depot+lip

Instructions from a 6 but you get the idea.

My speed with it on.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/3080610881_29e3860500_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3080609837_84e8e29fea_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/3080608791_2da3d9cd6a_b.jpg

I used outdoor double sided tape instead of screwing into the bump though. Just in case I didn't like it I didn't want to have screw holes in the bumper. Need two 6ft rolls.

[nykole0408]

Cool. Thanks guys- I like it!

[07speed3]

thanks guys! Hey sport 6 do you have any other pics from further away with the lip? thanks!

[AAMguy]

here's one for ya
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/mattyk04/fisheye026.jpg

[Sport6]

Here's one too
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/3001359050_f6132026d3_o.jpg

[AAMguy]

eh mine looks better haha

[john blutarski]

Fake hood vents, Crome panels, lights on the wipers, neon tag holder, stickers lots of stickers, do it yourself tinting, valve stem lights, curb finders, etc.(laugh)

curb finders FTW! (ricer)

[leadf00t]

Fake hood vents, Crome panels, lights on the wipers, neon tag holder, stickers lots of stickers, do it yourself tinting, valve stem lights, curb finders, etc.(laugh)

You forgot running boards, wind deflectors, and some neon lights under the car !!

JK !!!!

[JCurry]

big silver eagle mounted on the hood!!!!

[john blutarski]

gold crown on the dash!!!!

[builthatch]

What are some good looking and inexpensive exterior mods?? Im not really sure what direction i wanna go with my car yet as far as a theme or anything so shoot any ideas you have at me! thanks!

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w152/builthatch/Mazdaspeed%20decals/IMG_0691.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w152/builthatch/Mazdaspeed%20decals/IMG_0687.jpg

[iredremix]

smoke ur lights.. black em out.

[AutoEuphoria]

I've seen the HD lip done a few times, and I was just wondering if anyone has any idea how to do that without having it turn out wavy. All the ones I've seen look really wavy, like plastic that got too hot and got distorted. Would it just take more screws to keep it looking right, or is this just something that is inevitable with this mod?

[DARK R3]

Change interior lights to LEDs...that'll cost around $20-$30. Change license plate lights to LED...that's like $10. Vinyl foglight covers are pretty cheap, too...around $30 I think (can't remember what I paid).


http://www.decalfx.com/blue_headlight_film.html

http://www.decalfx.com/smoked_headlight_film.html

http://www.decalfx.com/yellow_headlight_film.html

[BurnoutX]

I've seen the HD lip done a few times, and I was just wondering if anyone has any idea how to do that without having it turn out wavy. All the ones I've seen look really wavy, like plastic that got too hot and got distorted. Would it just take more screws to keep it looking right, or is this just something that is inevitable with this mod?


i don't think its going to matter if you have more screws. at the end of the day you are dealing with a material that is meant to be pliable, not rigid.

the downfall is -- it will be wavy. the upside is -- hit anything and it won't break ;)

but for $12 bucks not too bad.

[john blutarski]

I've seen the HD lip done a few times, and I was just wondering if anyone has any idea how to do that without having it turn out wavy. All the ones I've seen look really wavy, like plastic that got too hot and got distorted. Would it just take more screws to keep it looking right, or is this just something that is inevitable with this mod?


I think if you do it with 3M double sided automotive tape (the super duty outdoor stuff) instead of screws it will come out not wavy.

[Zeya]

You can paint your emblems. You just need to buy a bit of sand paper, primer, a paint color (or two), and clear coat. That'll cost 20 bucks max. Don't try to bleach off the chrome like I am though; it takes forever and probably isn't worth it.

[IndoRX7]

Eh....Windshield decals are always easy and cheap. So far I found the best deal at WWW.STICKER-SYNDICATE.COM
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q38/indor1/mazdaspeed.jpg